Saturday, 25 October 2014

Gol Gombaz - Second Largest Dome in the World, Bijapur

Gol Gombaz meaning "rose dome", is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah ((reign 1627-55), Sultan of Bijapur who was the most powerful leader in Bijapur history. The tomb, located in Bijapur, Karnataka in India, was completed in 1656 by the architect Yaqut of Dabul; it a beautiful piece of Deccan architecture. He ascended the throne at a pretty young age- just 18 years of age. During his regime, Bijapur enjoyed peace and prosperity and Adil Shah also expanded his territory.The structure is composed of a cube, 47.5 meters (156 ft) on each side topped by a dome 44 meters (144 ft) in external diameter.With an area of 1,700 m2 (18,000 sq ft), the mausoleum has one of the biggest single chamber spaces in the world. In fact, it is said, that it is the second largest dome in the world. Often comparison is made between this huge dome and those at St. Paul's in London - tomb chamber (18338 sq. feet) and the Pantheon in Rome (15833 sq. feet).

Gol Gombaz, Bijapur, Karnataka in India,: en.Wikipedia. org

An interesting feature of this historical dome is the "Whispering Gallery" where even the softest sound can be well amplified and heard on the other side of the mausoleum due to the acoustics of the space.

The acoustics are even quite impressive in the morning, when this place is calm and quiet. Not too busy or noisy in the morning hours and later due to a continuous steady stream of visitors to this fascinating architectural wonder, the effects of acoustics are feebly audible. However, when it is quiet inside, one can enjoy the acoustics – sound coming as if very near a source and not actually 40 meters away from the other side.

The prayer room, in the west possesses nine arched entrances. The depth is 5 spans, creating a large space that is capable of containing many religious people as Jama Masjid. The actual grave is in the middle of the podium inside the mausoleum hall. It is believed that Adil Shah died before his tomb was accomplished. He died on 4 November 1656.

The colossal mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah - Gol Gumbaz after a lapse of four centuries, even today examplifies the glory of Adil Shah. It is believed to be the greatest structural triumphs of Indo-Perso-Ottoman architecture of Adil Shahi period.Ref:

Lables

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I am KN.Jayaraman, Retd Geologist, author of this blog. I have a strong passion for Ancient Indian Culture, art, architecture, etc...
I started this blog with a view to covering the above areas and also odd things related to India.
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